Cole Hamels and the Texas Rangers clinched the American League West title on the last day of the regular season.
Hamels pitched a three-hitter and Adrian Beltre hit a go-ahead homer as the Rangers beat the Angels 9-2 on Sunday, eliminating Los Angeles from playoff contention.
A year after their 95 losses were the most in the American League, two months after they were still eight games out of first place and three days after ensuring themselves a post-season spot, the Rangers wrapped up their sixth division title.
Photo: USA Today
Texas play their first AL division series game since 2011 on Thursday at Toronto.
DIAMONDBACKS 5, ASTROS 3
Houston are going to the playoffs for the first time in a decade despite ending the regular season with a loss.
The Astros led the AL wild-card race by a game heading into Sunday. They shared a few high fives in the dugout in the eighth inning after clinching it when the Angels lost to Texas.
Houston finished 86-76 to reach the postseason for the first time since playing the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 World Series.
The Astros are to play their first AL playoff game tonight against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York.
BRAVES 2, CARDINALS 0
BRAVES 6, CARDINALS 0
Matt Wisler allowed four hits over 8-2/3 inning as Atlanta won a doubleheader, sending St Louis’ batters to the playoffs with a 27-inning scoreless streak.
St Louis were held to seven hits in the doubleheader, which included a loss to Shelby Miller in the first game that ended Miller’s 24-start winless streak.
Wisler (8-8) won each of his last three starts, allowing a combined three runs.
Pinch-hitter Brandon Moss doubled with one out in the ninth to become the Cardinals’ first runner in scoring position off Wisler. Jon Jay hit a groundout to first, Tommy Pham walked and Edwin Jackson struck out Randal Grichuk to end the game.
St Louis open the Division Series at home on Friday against the Chicago Cubs or Pittsburgh.
In other games, it was:
‧ Dodgers 6, Padres 3
‧ Pirates 4, Reds 0
‧ Cubs 3, Brewers 1
‧ Rays 12, Blue Jays 3
‧ Orioles 9, Yankees 4
‧ Royals 6, Twins 1
‧ Mets 1, Nationals 0
‧ Phillies 7, Marlins 2
‧ Rockies 7, Giants 3
‧ Indians 3, Red Sox 1
‧ Mariners 3, Athletics 2
‧ Tigers 6, White Sox 0
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